THIS year’s revamped primary games hosted in Tamworth were the biggest yet and it’s given local business a timely kick-along.
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More than half of the city’s motels and accommodation lit-up no vacancy signs with at least 4000 visitors coming to town for the annual sporting carnival.
Tamworth Business Chamber marketing manager Jill Stewart said it provided a wonderful mid-year boost for for the local economy in what has been a tough year.
She said more than 50 per cent of the city’s motels were filled over the weekend with occupancy rates usually sitting at 65 per cent across the board for this time of year.
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“There’s a huge economic flow-on from event like this,” Ms Stewart said.
“We’re always looking at events which attract overnight visitation.
“It’s great to have events outside of festival and we encourage more of them.”
Longyard hotel publican and liquor accord chair Ian Dundan also said it was a great boost for the local hospitality industry, in what could be a slow time of year.
“Winter can be a little bit quieter and there’s undoubtedly a downturn with the drought,” Mr Dundon said.
“It was a great boost for middle of winter and it must have been boost for accommodation venues too.”
It was officially the largest edition of the event organised by the Northern Inland Academy of Sport (NIAS), in its four history.
A council report estimated the 2017 event brought-in $1.7 million to the local economy with its 1200 participants and 700 spectators.
NIAS chief executive officer James Cooper said this year saw 2000 participants and 350 coaching staff descent on the town, as well as hundreds of parents.
He said it was possible for the event to get bigger again.
“There’s room for growth in event,” he said.
“A key component and part of its unique nature is that it’s an inclusive festival, there’s no pathway to it.
“We’re lucky in Tamworth that we have the facilities that can cater for it.”
Tamworth Regional Council backed the event to be a success in April when it waived more than $6600 in fees and ground charges for the carnival.
Charles Impey sits on the council sports committee working group and said it was absolutely worth it and the carnival was vitally important for the city.
“It’s the fourth year it has run and we hope it runs for another 400 years, it brings so many young people and families to our city,” Cr Impey said.
“It paints a picture we’re not just the home of country music.
“We’re a growing city with fantastic sporting facilities which are diversifying as we speak.
“It’s also a diverse community with shopping, cafes restaurants and good schools.”